Clean Energy Requirement Clears Florida Senate

The Florida Senate passed a broad measure today that would require Florida utilities to have 20 percent of their energy produced from resources that release little to no greenhouse gases.

The "clean" energy requirement would allow power produced from nuclear and "clean" coal plants or petroleum coke to make up one-fourth of the quota. The full House would have to pass the bill before Gov. Charlie Crist could sign it into law.

Crist praised the Senate and the bill sponsor, Sen. Jim King (R-Jacksonville). ?I applaud the Florida Senate for taking action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in Florida," Crist said in a statement. ?Florida is blessed with environmental treasures, and we must do all we can to protect them so that future generations can experience and enjoy them.?

The bill would cap what Florida utilities can spend on the requirements -- not including nuclear or coal-based power -- to 2 percent of their annual revenue, which is about $350 million. The extra cost would work out to an additional $3.08 each month for an FPL customer using 1,200 kilowatt hours. State law already streamlines the process for utilities to pass costs for nuclear plants to customers.